FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 3, 2010
Contact: Mark Botnick – 917-287-0495

               Adam Riff – 805-743-3743

 
New York Uprising Goes to Congress:

Announces Congressional Pledge on Redistricting

Mayor Koch calls for New York’s Congressional delegation

and candidates to pledge their support

for an independent non-partisan redistricting commission

New York Uprising today announced the second step in its drive to reform Albany.  Following on its initial success in securing commitments from all four Gubernatorial candidates to support independent, nonpartisan redistricting, former Mayor Edward I. Koch, the leader of New York Uprising, today asked every member of New York’s Congressional delegation and candidate running for Congress this year in New York to sign a pledge, too.

Current legislative districts, including congressional districts, will be re-drawn following the release of 2010 census results. New York Uprising is a non-partisan advocacy reform group that will pressure elected officials and candidates for office to commit to reform measures to help fix a broken Albany.

Mayor Koch said, “We have already secured the pledges of all three Republican candidates for governor – Rick Lazio, Steve Levy and Carl Paladino – and that of Democrat Andrew Cuomo who is expected to announce shortly – to veto, as governor, any legislation adopted to address the issue if it does not provide for an independent, non-partisan commission to draw the lines.”

Mayor Koch add, “There’s been a steep decline in the public’s faith in government, and the willingness of Congressional candidates to sign this pledge would show an understanding of the need to take real steps to bring reform and restore public faith in government. ”

New York Uprising is a non-partisan, independent coalition formed by Mayor Koch that advocates for meaningful government reform across New York State. Its sole mission is to put an end to corruption in Albany and renew the public’s faith in their government by offering real, honest and sensible solutions that legislators and candidates can adhere to and be held accountable for executing. New York Uprising will actively seek support for commitments to reform from all candidates for office during the 2010 election cycle.  New York Uprising Trustees are:

New York Uprising Trustees

Former Governor Mario Cuomo

Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Investment Banker and Former Ambassador Felix Rohatyn

Former NYS Comptroller Ned Regan

Former Congressman and Deputy Mayor Herman Badillo

Former Deputy Mayor Alair Townsend

Former Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington

Former Deputy Mayor John Zuccotti

 
Attached please find both the letter and pledge.

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